Reduction of Expansive Index,Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.     

初始应力条件对松砂动力变形特性影响的试验研究

实际建筑物地基或土坡中土体在地震或波浪等复杂动力荷载作用前往往处于复杂的初始应力状态,而常规的土工动力试验通常无法再现这种复杂固结应力条件下土的动力特性。利用最新研制开发的土工静力-动力液压三轴-扭转多功能剪切仪,针对福建标准砂（ %）,进行了循环扭剪试验,探讨了初始主应力方向角 和初始偏应力比 等初始固结条件对松砂动剪切模量G和阻尼比 等动力变形特性的影响。     

Shear strength behavior and parameters of microbial gellan gum-treated soils: from sand to clay

Microbial biopolymers have recently been introduced as a new material for soil treatment and improvement. Biopolymers provide significant strengthening to soil, even in small quantities (i.e., at 1/10th or less of the required amount of conventional binders, such as cement). In particular, thermo-gelating biopolymers, including agar gum, gellan gum, and xanthan gum, are known to strengthen soils noticeably, even under water-saturated conditions. However, an explicitly detailed examination of the microscopic interactions and strengthening characteristics between gellan gum and soil particles has not yet been performed. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of soil–gellan gum interactions on the strengthening behavior of gellan gum-treated soil mixtures (from sand to clay). The experimental results showed that the strengths of sand–clay mixtures were effectively increased by gellan gum treatment over those of pure sand or clay. The strengthening behavior is attributed to the conglomeration of fine particles as well as to the interconnection of fine and coarse particles, by gellan gum. Gellan gum treatment significantly improved not only inter-particle cohesion but also the friction angle of clay-containing soils.

     

A New Concept on the Compressibility of Mixed Soils: Experimental and Numerical Approach

In this article, a new concept on the compressibility of mixed soils is proposed. Six characteristic structures of mixed soils are recognized, defined and described based on the percentage of the ground material in the mixture. The compressibility mechanism and the deformational behavior of each structure are extensively studied by both laboratory and numerical experiments. Two series of compressibility tests are initially conducted in the laboratory, using artificial mixtures of sand and clay at different ratios and subjected to typical compressibility tests using the oedometer apparatus. Then, a numerical approach is employed, based on the finite element method and Monte-Carlo simulations, in order to reproduce the conditions of the laboratory tests and to further study the compressibility of each characteristic structure. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the deformational behavior of mixed soils depends strongly on the percentage of the ground in the mixture and on the mechanical properties of the components of this mixture. Furthermore, it is shown that the estimated deformations and stress states can be highly unrealistic when the mixed soil is not properly modelled and is assumed to be governed by the properties of its weaker component.     

Analysis of Swelling and Shrinkage Behavior of Compacted Clays

The impact of the variation in compaction condition on the swelling and shrinkage behavior of three soils has been examined. Two natural soils, namely red soil and black cotton soil, and one artificially mixed soil sample of commercial bentonite with well-graded sand, were studied. Compaction curve for Standard Proctor conditions were plotted and four compaction conditions were selected. Experimental results showed that clay mineralogy dominates over compaction conditions in influencing the swelling and shrinkage behavior of the tested soils. Monitoring of void ratio (e)−water content (w) relations during shrinkage showed that soil specimens generally shrunk in three distinct linear stages. A small reduction in void ratio occurred on reduction in water content during the first shrinkage stage and was termed as initial shrinkage. In second stage, void ratio decreased rapidly with reduction in water content and was termed as primary shrinkage. In third and final stage, reduction in water content is accompanied by a marginal change in void ratio and it’s called residual shrinkage. Irrespective of initial compaction conditions studied, the transition from primary to residual shrinkage for all the specimens occurred within a narrow range of water content (10–15%).     

Effects of coarse-grained materials on properties of residual soil

Residual soils are generally characterised by a low coefficient of permeability and high shrinkage potential. Several soil improvement methods can be applied to overcome these problems, including mixing the residual soil with coarse-grained soils. In order to study the effects of varying coarse-grained materials on the hydraulic properties and shrinkage characteristics of residual soils, a local residual soil was mixed with different percentages of a gravelly sand and a medium sand. The hydraulic properties and shrinkage potential of the residual soil and the soil mixtures were investigated. The measurements showed that increasing the amount of coarse-grained materials increased the saturated permeability and reduced the shrinkage potential of the residual soil mixture. Increasing the amount of coarse-grained materials in the residual soil produced changes in several key parameters of soil-water characteristic curve (e.g., the slope, the air-entry value, the residual matric suction, and the residual volumetric water content), as well as the unsaturated permeabilities of the soil mixtures.     

CPT data in normally consolidated soils

The paper presents observations made in CPTs performed under controlled laboratory conditions in normally consolidated clay–sand mixtures at various penetrations. These results are combined with data from field tests to develop a relationship for CPT data in young normally consolidated soils that combines end resistance and friction sleeve data. This relationship can be used to assist assessment of soil type and CPT parameters for un-aged normally consolidated soils as well as allowing judgements to be made in relation to likely levels of under-consolidation, structure and over-consolidation in any given soil deposit.

     

Modeling 3-D desiccation soil crack networks using a mesh fragmentation technique

The problem of desiccation cracks in soils has received increasing attention in the last few years, in both experimental investigations and modeling. Experimental research has been mainly focused on the behavior of slurries subjected to drying in plates of different shapes, sizes and thickness. The main objectives of these studies were to learn about the process of crack formation under controlled environmental conditions, and also to understand better the impact of different factors (e.g. soil type, boundary conditions, soil thickness) on the morphology of the crack network. As for the numerical modeling, different approaches have been proposed to describe the behavior of drying cracks in soils. One aspect that it is still difficult to simulate properly is the 3-D crack pattern typically observed in desiccated soils. In this work we present a numerical technique to model the behavior of drying soils. The proposed approach inserts high aspect ratio elements in-between standard elements of a finite element mesh. This mesh fragmentation technique can be easily adapted to standard finite element programs. We used this technique to analyze multiple case studies related to soil desiccation cracks developed under laboratory and field conditions. We focused our attention in some key factors that control the 3-D morphology of the drying cracks network in soils. We show that the proposed technique is able to simulate very satisfactorily the main patterns typically observed in cracked soils.     

Effect of sand grain size and boundary condition on the swelling behavior of bentonite–sand mixtures

Deep geological repository is a favorable choice for the long-term disposal of nuclear wastes. Bentonite–sand mixtures have been proposed as the potential engineered barrier materials because of their suitable swelling properties and good ability to seal under hydrated repository conditions. To investigate the effects of sand grain size on the engineering performance of bentonite–sand mixtures, we prepare five types of bentonite–sand mixtures by mixing bentonite with sand of varying particle size ranges (0.075–0.25 mm, 0.25–0.5 mm, 0.5–1 mm, 1–2 mm and 2–5 mm, respectively). We carry out sequential oedometer tests under different simulated repository conditions, including constant vertical stress (CVS), constant stiffness (CS) and constant volume (CV) conditions. The microstructural heterogeneity and anisotropy of these soil mixtures are characterized through the quantitative analysis of micro-CT scanning results. Experimental results reveal that both sand grain size and boundary condition significantly influence the swelling of soil mixtures. Under three conditions, the temporal evolutions of swelling stress and strain follow similar trends that they increase faster at the beginning and gradually stabilize afterward. Comparing the ultimate values, swelling strains follow CVS?>?CS?>?CV, while swelling stresses follow CV?>?CS?>?CVS. Under CS boundary conditions, as the stiffness coefficient increases, the swelling pressure increases and the swelling strain decreases. CT results further indicate that mixtures with larger sand inclusions are more structurally heterogeneous and anisotropic, resulting in increased inter-particle friction and collision and a higher energy dissipation during the swelling process. Moreover, the non-uniform distribution of bentonite in local zones would be intensified, which plays an important role in compromising swelling behavior. Therefore, soil samples mixed with larger sand particles present a smaller swelling stress and strain values. This study may guide the choice of engineered barrier materials toward an improved design and assessment of geological repository facilities.

     

掺砂率对高放废物处置库中缓冲/回填材料收缩特性的影响

缓冲/回填材料的收缩特性对高放废物处置库的长期安全性和稳定性具有重要影响。以高庙子（GMZ） 膨润土-砂混 合物缓冲/回填材料为研究对象,探究了0~50%掺砂率下,试样蒸发失水过程中的收缩特性。试验结果表明：（1） 试样的水 分蒸发过程可分为常速率阶段、减速率阶段和残余阶段,且掺砂率对各阶段水分蒸发过程均有显著影响;（2） 掺砂率对试 样缩限值基本没有影响,但收缩应变却随着掺砂率的增大而减小;试样收缩系数在掺砂率为30%时达到最大,之后随掺砂 率的增大而减小;（3） 在不同掺砂率下,试样收缩均呈现出明显的各向异性;（4） 掺砂率越高,试样进气点对应的含水率 越大,最终孔隙比也越大。     

Compressional behavior of clayey sand and transition fines content

Clayey sand can be considered as a composite matrix of coarse and fine grains. The interaction between coarser and finer grain matrices affects the overall stress–strain behavior of these soils. Intergranular void ratio, e_s (which is the void ratio of the coarser grain matrix) can be utilized as an alternative parameter to express the compressive response of such soils. Oedometer tests conducted on reconstituted kaolinite–sand mixtures indicate that initial conditions, percentage of fines, and stress conditions influence the compression characteristics evidently. Tests showed that, up to a fraction of fines, which is named as transition fines content (FC_t), compression behavior of the mixtures is mainly controlled by the sand grains. When concentration of fines exceeds FC_t, kaolinite controls the compression. It was found that FC_t varies between 19% and 34% depending on the above mentioned factors. This range of fines content is also consistent with various values reported in literature regarding the strength alteration. Performed direct shear tests revealed that there is also a close relationship between transition fines content and shear strength, which is harmonic with the oedometer test results.     

盐溶液饱和黏土的力学行为模拟

由于黏性土表面带有丰富的负电荷,孔隙水溶液化学状态的变化对黏性土的物理力学特性存在明显影响。随着化学-力学耦合的相关岩土工程问题日益突出,进行有效的化学-力学耦合行为的数值分析评价显得尤为重要。因此,建立一个简单有效的考虑化学-力学耦合的本构模型是非常关键的。基于传统的修正剑桥模型,提出了一个简单的化学-力学耦合模型。该模型采用渗透吸力π描述孔隙水的化学状态,建立了前期屈服应力,临界状态线斜率M和弹性刚度与渗透吸力π之间的关系式,从而实现了模型对盐溶液饱和黏性土的变形和强度特性的有效模拟。通过与试验数据的对比和分析,说明该模型能有效地模拟孔隙盐溶液饱和黏性土的等向压缩行为、 状态下压缩行为以及 状态下化学-力学循环加载行为。此外,通过对黏性土三轴压缩试验的模拟,说明该模型能反映黏性土三轴应力状态下的基本力学特征。     

膨胀土干缩变形特性试验研究

膨胀土是一种典型的问题性土,对气候变化非常敏感,在干旱气候条件下,极易发生体积收缩变形,引发各种工 程地质问题。为了研究膨胀土的干缩变形特性,开展了一系列室内干燥试验,测定了膨胀土的收缩特征曲线,重点分析 了初始含水率和干密度对干缩变形过程的影响,并进一步探讨了水泥固化抑制膨胀土干缩变形的效果和机理。结果表 明：（1） 膨胀土的干缩变形过程存在三个典型阶段：正常收缩、残余收缩和零收缩;（2） 初始含水率越高,试样蒸发速 率越快,且干缩变形完全后试样孔隙比越小而最终收缩应变越大,干缩变形越明显;（3） 初始干密度越大,试样蒸发速 率和最终体积收缩应变越小,提高初始干密度对试样干缩变形具有一定的抑制作用;（4） 在膨胀土中掺入适量的水泥能 显著降低试样的体积收缩应变,对干缩变形具有良好的抑制效果;（5） 膨胀土的干缩变形具有明显的各向异性特征,并 且与初始状态有关。     

膨胀土干缩变形特性试验研究

膨胀土是一种典型的问题性土，对气候变化非常敏感，在干旱气候条件下，极易发生体积收缩变形，引发各种工 程地质问题。为了研究膨胀土的干缩变形特性，开展了一系列室内干燥试验，测定了膨胀土的收缩特征曲线，重点分析 了初始含水率和干密度对干缩变形过程的影响，并进一步探讨了水泥固化抑制膨胀土干缩变形的效果和机理。结果表 明：（1） 膨胀土的干缩变形过程存在三个典型阶段：正常收缩、残余收缩和零收缩；（2） 初始含水率越高，试样蒸发速 率越快，且干缩变形完全后试样孔隙比越小而最终收缩应变越大，干缩变形越明显；（3） 初始干密度越大，试样蒸发速 率和最终体积收缩应变越小，提高初始干密度对试样干缩变形具有一定的抑制作用；（4） 在膨胀土中掺入适量的水泥能 显著降低试样的体积收缩应变，对干缩变形具有良好的抑制效果；（5） 膨胀土的干缩变形具有明显的各向异性特征，并 且与初始状态有关。     

Modelling the poroelastoplastic behaviour of soils subjected to internal erosion by suffusion

Granular soils subjected to seepage flow may suffer suffusion, ie, a selective internal erosion. Extending the classical approach of poromechanics, we deduce a new form of the Clausius-Duhem inequality accounting for dissipation due to suffusion, and we deduce restrictions on the constitutive laws of the soil. We suggest (a) a possible coupling between the seepage forces and the suffusion kinetics and (b) an extension of an existing elastoplastic model for the skeleton mechanical behaviour. Numerical integrations of the elastoplastic model are carried out under drained axisymmetric triaxial and oedometric conditions. As a result, we prove that the extended model is able to qualitatively reproduce the suffusion induced strains and the strength reduction experimentally observed. Predictions on the oedometric behaviour of suffusive soils are also provided.     

Methylene blue transport in a sand-illite mixture and its implications for contaminant transport

Understanding contaminant transport in clay-containing soils is critical for accurate prediction of the travel distances of contaminants and for the design and implementation of corresponding remediation plans. This study examined the breakthrough behavior of methylene blue (MB) through sand-illite mixtures using laboratory soil-column experiments at five inlet concentrations, three flow rates, and five illite contents. Kinetic and equilibrium adsorption tests were performed to evaluate the maximum adsorption capacities of the sand and illite used in the soil-column experiments. In addition, the bed efficiency, MB saturation, and adsorption rate were calculated to quantitatively describe the observed breakthrough curves. The observed breakthrough curves, bed efficiencies, MB saturations, and adsorption rates in this study demonstrated the presence of a threshold illite content of ~10% for the adsorption efficiency of contaminants. This implies the need to evaluate the threshold clay content for accurate predictions of contaminant transport through gap-graded clay-containing soils.

     

A hypoplastic macroelement formulation for single batter piles in sand

Batter piles are widely used in geotechnical engineering when substantial lateral resistance is needed or to avoid the interference with existing underground constructions. Nevertheless, there is a lack of fast numerical tools for nonlinear soil‐structure interactions problems for this type of foundation. A novel hypoplastic macroelement is proposed, able to reproduce the nonlinear response of a single batter pile in sand under monotonic and cyclic static loadings. The behavior of batter piles (15°, 30°, and 45°) is first numerically investigated using 3D finite element modeling and compared with the behavior of vertical piles. It is shown that their response mainly depends on the pile inclination and the loading direction. Then, starting from the macroelement for single vertical piles in sand by Li et al (Acta Geotechnica, 11(2):373‐390, 2016), an extension is proposed to take into account the pile inclination introducing simple analytical equations in the expression describing the failure surface. 3D finite element numerical models are adopted to validate the macroelement that is proven able to reproduce the nonlinear behavior in terms of global quantities (forces‐displacements) and to significantly reduce the necessary computational time.     

Effects of surfactants and electrolyte solutions on the properties of soil

Biosurfactants are frequently used in petroleum hydrocarbon and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) remediation. The applicability of biosurfactant use in clayey soils requires an understanding and characterization of their interaction. Comprehensive effects of surfactants and electrolyte solutions on kaolinite clay soil were investigated for index properties, compaction, strength characteristics, hydraulic conductivities, and adsorption characteristics. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and NaPO₃ decreased the liquid limit and plasticity index of the test soil. Maximum dry unit weights were increased and optimum moisture contents were decreased as SDS and biosurfactant were added for the compaction tests for mixtures of 30% kaolinite and 70% sand. The addition of non-ionic surfactant, biosurfactant, and CaCl₂ increased the initial elastic modulus and undrained shear strength of the kaolinite–sand mixture soils. Hydraulic conductivities were measured by fixed-wall double-ring permeameters. Results showed that the hydraulic conductivity was not significantly affected, but slightly decreased from 1×10⁻⁷ cm/s (water) to 0.3×10⁻⁷ cm/s for Triton X-100 and SDS. The adsorption characteristics of the chemicals onto kaolinite were also investigated by developing isotherm curves. SDS adsorbed onto soil particles with the strongest bonding strength of the fluids tested. Correlations among parameters were developed for surfactants, electrolyte solutions, and clayey soils.     

Hyperfiltration of Nacl Solutions Using a Simulated Clay/Sand Mixture at Low Compaction Pressures

It is widely recognized that clays and shales can demonstrate membrane properties. When a hydraulic head differential exists across a membrane-functioning clay-rich barrier, some of the solute is rejected by the membrane. This process is known as hyperfiltration. Some shallow geologic environments, including aquitards bounding shallow perched aquifers and unconfined aquifers, some river and stream beds, and some lake bottoms contain clay–soil mixes. Many engineering structures such as landfill liners, mixed soil augered barriers, and retention pond liners also consist of soil–clay mixes. No previous testing has been performed to investigate the likelihood that hyperfiltration may occur in such mixed soils. Therefore, we performed five experiments using different mixes of Na-bentonite and glass beads (100, 50, 25, 12 and 0% clay) to determine if any of these mixes exhibited membrane properties and to investigate what effect clay content had upon the membrane properties of the soil. Each mixture was compacted to 345 kPa and the sample mixtures were 0.58–0.97 mm thick. All the experiments used an approximately 35 ppm Cl⁻ solution under an average 103 kPa hydraulic head. Experimental results show that all the simulated clay–sand mixtures do exhibit measurable membrane properties under these conditions. Values of the calculated reflection coefficient ranged from a low of 0.03 for 12% bentonite to 0.19 for 100% bentonite. Solute rejection ranged from 5.2% for 12% clay to a high of over 30% for the 100% clay. The 100% glass bead sample exhibited no membrane properties.     

Desiccation-induced Shrinkage in Compacted Lateritic Soils

Specimens prepared from three lateritic soil samples were subjected to drying under laboratory conditions. Volumetric shrinkage strains were measured at the end of the drying period. Results of this study indicate that, for the lateritic soils tested, volumetric shrinkage strains are influenced by soil composition and compaction conditions. Volumetric shrinkage strain increased with higher compaction water content. The influence of compaction water content on measured volumetric shrinkage strain was more pronounced in specimens with higher fines content. A regression equation was developed from the data to estimate volumetric shrinkage strain given the compaction water content relative to optimum, plasticity index, fines content and compactive effort.